Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Business Growth Based on CSR and ESG Standards in the Post-COVID Era

Dear Colleagues,

Nowadays, humanity is facing an unprecedented, multi-layered crisis. The combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and the looming economic impact is leading to a recession ahead for society and the business world, which are now navigating uncharted waters. Businesses are required to operate within volatile contexts and intensify their efforts to ensure their sustainability. More than ever, stakeholders demand that they act responsibly and transparently. Increasingly – regardless of size – businesses recognize the growing importance of their reputation and its risks while accepting the importance and benefits of implementing responsible business practices. The pandemic and its

consequences have resulted in a widening of the social gap. They have made inequalities between different social groups more noticeable than ever, as the most vulnerable have been significantly affected and continue to be. Issues such as the transparency of corporate activities and transactions, complete information, marking, traceability, assurance, the quality and the safety of the products, the respect of consumer rights, and the responsible management of the supply chain all are at the heart of the business effort to improve for sustainability.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can be characterized as the essential expressionof the social responsibility of businesses. The work environment is one area that needs social responsibility and in which companies can implement Corporate Social Responsibility programs. In addition, CSR policies can be practiced in areas such as the environment and its sustainable management, people, and education. Applying social responsibility practices creates a two-way relationship with benefits for all participants. Such a network of social action includes shareholders, suppliers, employees, and the broader society in which we operate.

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) data refers to metrics related to intangible assets within the business. Studies show that intangible assets constitute an increasing percentage of the business’s future value. While there are many ways tothink about intangible asset metrics, these three key factors together form a "label" adopted throughout the financial industry. They are used for thousands of purposes, to measure elements related to the sustainability and social impact of a business. These are the criteria for companies' environmental and social performance, as well as corporate governance performance, and help them to disclose necessary and valuable information for decision-making by investors and banks. Businesses that incorporate such criteria into their sustainable development strategy demonstrate greater transparency and become more "attractive" to investors. They moreeasily receive financing from banks as they present their sustainability in this way.

However, one of the most controversial questions in CSR and ESG research involves the effect a firm's CSR and the adoption of ESG criteria have on its performance. Thus, this special issue will provide insight on adopting CSR initiatives by the businesses, Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria, and sustainable business performance.

Considering the above, this Special Issue seeks unpublished, high-quality empirical or theoretical research papers that focus on but are not limited to the following topics:

• CSR and Sustainable Performance of Businesses
• ESG and Sustainable Performance of Businesses
• Future perspectives on the development of energy technologies
• Role of eco-innovation in the facilitation of Sustainable Business Performance
• Role of eco-innovation in the facilitation of CSR goals
• Green Finance: Environmental policy and Sustainable Business Performance
• Environmental policy and sustainable business growth
• Environmental Tax and sustainable business growth
• Sustainable Development Goals and Sustainable Performance of Businesses
• Energy efficiency improvements and sustainable business growth
• Investment in Green technology and Sustainable Business Performance
• Role of green finance, green investment, and green energy in the facilitation of CSR goals
• CSR and COVID-19
• Dynamic Corporate Governance, Innovation, and Sustainability in the Post- Covid Period
• The importance of ESG factors for business performance during the Covid- 19 pandemic
• Adoption of CSR activities in developed and developing
• CSR as a Driver where ESG Performance will Ultimately Matter
• Sustainable Business Model Innovation
• Financial Stability in Companies with High ESG scores

Dr. Konstantina Ragazou
Dr. Alexandros Garefalakis
Dr. Dimitrios Katsaprakakis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.